Message from New Representative - Apr 2025
Masaaki Kimura (RIKEN)
Since its establishment in 2008, Ukakuren has played an important role in
the interdisciplinary field of nuclear astrophysics as a forum for exchange
among researchers across disciplinary boundaries. Through the Ukakuren
workshops and the OMEG symposia, it has continuously provided opportunities
for discussion beyond the framework of individual fields, which we believe
has greatly contributed to the development of this area of research.
At present, nuclear astrophysics is entering a new phase. The vast amount of
data produced by increasingly precise and large-scale observations and
experiments, together with the theoretical and numerical frameworks needed
to analyze and interpret them, is becoming more important than ever.
Data-driven science and machine-learning approaches are highly compatible with
nuclear astrophysics and are already opening up new directions in research.
Under these changing circumstances, there is a strong need for researchers
from different backgrounds to engage in discussion on a common foundation
and to integrate their knowledge and expertise.
At the same time, generational transition in this field is steadily progressing.
We believe it will become increasingly important to build an environment in which
young researchers can take active roles and pioneer new directions in research,
while inheriting the interdisciplinary culture that Ukakuren has cultivated over
the years. To this end, we hope to sustain and further develop this
interdisciplinary field through workshops and related activities. We will
continue striving to ensure that Ukakuren functions as a hub, contributing
both to the advancement of the field and to the continuity between generations.
We would be most grateful for your continued guidance and support.
Message from New Representative - Mar 2021
Takahiro Kawabata (Osaka University)
JaFNA (Ukakuren) has been working for promoting the
communication between researchers of
"nuclear astrophysics", which is an interdisciplinary field among
astronomy, space science, planetary physics, particle physics,
nuclear physics and others, since its launch in 2008.
JaFNA served as the main organizing party of the
Ukakuren workshops, which have been annually held,
as well as the biennial OMEG symposia, contributing to the
expansion of nuclear astrophysics.
JaFNA also joined to the research network, IReNA (International
Research Network for Nuclear Astrophysics), which was established
by JINA-CEE and others, making international collaborations
with foreign communities.
JaFNA has been steadily growing, but the spread of COVID-19
could not help preventing its activities in 2020.
The situation has continued to this year, forcing us to replan
not only the international
conferences but also domestic workshops.
On the other hand, however, we established
the way to communicate each other under the present pandemic situation,
such as, holding hybrid conferences combining local and online discussions.
To execute the important task: promoting the communication of
nuclear astrophysics researchers, first I would like to resume the
Ukakuren workshop, which has not been held since 2020.
Online meeting has a disadvantage
that the communication could be limited,
but also has an advantage that
we can encourage participation from remote places, especially from
foreign countries.
Making use of this advantage, we will strengthen the relationship with IReNa,
and plan Ukakuren workshops with a new form.
I also work for an award program
of JaFNA for encouraging young researchers who will lead the
next generation.
Even though my experience is still limited,
I would like to contribute to the expansion of the nuclear astrophysics in Japan,
and I appreciate your advice and cooperation for that.
Message from New Representative - September 2017
Toshitaka Kajino (NAOJ/University of Tokyo/Beihang University)
Japan Forum of Nuclear Astrophysics/UKAKUREN was launched in 2008 in order to promote collaboration and accelerate exchanging expertise among researchers in the interdisciplinary field "nuclear astrophysics" that consists of astronomy, astrophysics, nuclear physics, particle physics and meteorite science. Since then, our research and exchange activity has developed so that high quality discussion that is comparable to an international conference is being made in annual workshop. Many scientists get together from our interdisciplinary field in the twin international conferences "Origin of Matter and Evolution of Galaxies (OMEG)", which originated from Japan in 1988 right after the appearance of SN1987A, and "Nuclei in the Cosmos (NIC)", which originated from Wien in Austria in 1990. Likewise, many scientists from a variety of fields join in UKAKUREN. UKAKUREN plays a key role in the OMEG Conference as a home base to integrate research activity in the closest neighboring fields of natural science in the world. The OMEG Conference is being held in every two years in Asian countries, supported by International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP), and established today his own authoritative position as a unique international conference.
In order to further develop "nuclear astrophysics", we will enrich our domestic activities in Japan for the coming years. At the same time, we would like to focus our special attention on two projects: The first is to further enhance the cooperation of international research activities with the international nuclear astrophysics community by actively collaborating in the wide range of fields so that young generations stimulate each other and enjoy science, being exposed to an exciting international atmosphere. The second is to establish award for younger generations, which is a great encouragement for young researchers who take the next generation of science. I would like to contribute with my best to the development of nuclear astrophysics and related fields in Japan. I sincerely request your strong support and cooperation.